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Be Kind To Yourself

By Corinne Rodrigues on May 20, 2016

While I was sleeping, I dreamt I heard a familiar voice. A voice saying ‘Be kind to yourself.’ I had heard it a few times before when I was awake. But this time it sounded different – softer, gentler and kinder. It was the voice of my mirror that spoke to me in a dream. And the dream will stay with me forever.

Be Kind To Yourself

“Dear One, why is that when you look into me, you do so with a feeling of dread? Why is it that you constantly say things like “Look at that blemish” or “You’re looking old” or “Your wrinkles are showing.” Why are you so harsh and mean to yourself? Why can’t you see yourself, the way I see you?

And I can see that it is not just your looks that you fault yourself about. You keep berating yourself for poor choices from the past and mistakes you’ve made. Listen to the language you use when you’re talking to yourself. Look at the way you keep beating yourself up over trivial things. Why do you treat yourself in a way you wouldn’t dare to treat another?

You are worth all your love. Look into me, your mirror, and find the love of your life.

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A lover of words. A self-acceptance blogger. A blogging coach. A book reviewer. A woman happily journeying through midlife, moving from self-improvement to self-acceptance and enjoying being herself.
Corinne writes at Everyday Gyaan, reviews fiction at CorinneRodrigues.com and encourages writers and bloggers at Write Tribe and offers offline coaching to writers and bloggers at The Frangipani Creative, located in Secunderabad, India.

14 Comments

I wrote about this, but for me it is a little different, as my visual impairment prevents me from seeing much of my reflection anymore. I can never decide if this is better or worse, because I still have all those doubts and the negative self talk. I like your tips and they are all true.

Lovely post. We need to be kind to ourselves. Many times, I also look into the mirror and see those grey hair, the skin that needs more attention, the never going down weight and what not. I need to be more compassionate. Loved the message that you share through your dream.

It is so important…I have been failing at it Corinne for the past few months…And honestly, it has lead to bouts of depression…I have to do everything and I don’t let anyone help me…and if someone does I feel guilty why I didn’t do it myself in the first place…It has not been easy…I need to be more compassionate towards myself..at least listen to my body which is going through a lot..

Your mirror dream echoes a moment I had in January. I was on holidays in a sunny clime with my family. I was not where I wanted to be weight wise. I could have let that ruin it. But instead, I told myself I refused to hear a hateful thought about my body or (my perceived) lack of effort on that front for two weeks. Instead, I was just going to enjoy my holiday and time with my family and kids. The end. It was an odd feeling of ACTUALLY letting go. Because I did. And it was wonderful.

Just be kind to yourself is such a powerful message. I love the dream talk you had. Thank you for sharing.

Also – thank you for sharing the video. I admit, I listened to it three times because one aspect bothered me and I needed to figure out what it was – but overall, it was such a powerfully positive message. I’ll remember it.

Oh why why why is it so much easier to be kinder to others than it is to ourselves? I love that you had that dream of your voice in the mirror. Mine sounds the same at times although I’m really trying to correct it so that I practice self-kindness. I’m so glad you linked this up with Finish the Sentence. Thank you for the reminder!

I have learnt this kindness slowly, very slowly, convincing myself…’it’s ok to think about yourself first and be nice to your own self!’ Self-confabulation is an amazing trick and works wonders. Thanks for the lovely reminder.

I tried to comment a moment ago and it didn’t work so let’s hope it works this time… What an amazing dream you had, and great that you took its message on board. It’s so easy to look in the mirror and see flaws, and it doesn’t help us! Your suggestions for self-kindness are all great.
Thanks for joining in the link-up.